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JOHN - The Light Shines in the Darkness
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to John
PART 1 - The Shining of the Divine Light (John 1:1 - 4:54)
B - Christ Leads his Disciples from the Sphere of Repentance to the joy of the Wedding (John 1:19 - 2:12)

2. More stirring testimonies of the Baptist to Christ (John 1:29-34)


JOHN 1:31-34
31 I didn’t know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water: that he would be revealed to Israel.” 32 John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him. 33 I didn’t recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water, he said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

God called the Baptist at the age of 30 to prepare Christ's way and make him known to the people. This came about at his baptism, which made penitents into expectant welcoming Christ. God spoke to the Baptist promising he would see what no one before had seen - the witnesses of the Holy Spirit's descent on Christ. Notably the Spirit rested on Jesus. The Old Testament prophets were inspired for a while, but Christ would be permanently filled with the Spirit. Like a perpetual spring, the Spirit would fill believers with divine power.

The two young men stood side by side on Jordan's banks; the heavens opened quietly, but suddenly John saw the Holy Spirit as a dove, white against the blue sky - of symbol of peace and meekness.

This Spirit descended not on the Baptist, or the penitents, but directly on Jesus resting on him, proof positive for the Baptist that the young Nazarene was greater than all prophets and creatures. The Baptist knew that God stood before him, The Eternal expected One.

Doubtless the Baptist was filled with praise and joy, as when he leapt in his mother's womb, on the occasion of Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth who also exulted in joy and praise (Luke 1:36-45).

The Baptist recognized Christ as Giver of the Spirit, but he did not conceal the vision, but publicly announced in crying, "The Lord has come; he is present, not to judge but to show love and goodwill. He is no ordinary person, but God's Son filled with the Spirit. Whoever asserts that Jesus is Spirit from God, confesses at the same time that he is the Son of God." Thus John made clear the aim of Christ's coming: To baptize the penitent with the Holy Spirit. God is Spirit, His Son is God's Spirit made flesh. It is his good pleasure to fill his followers with this divine reality: God is love.

Dear brother, have you been filled with the Holy Spirit? Have you experienced Christ's power in your life? This divine quality becomes yours only by pardon of sins through faith in Christ's sacrifice. He who accepts that forgiveness from the Lamb of God is filled with the Holy Spirit. God's Son is ready to grant his spiritual gifts to every believer.

PRAYER: O holy Son of God, we worship and praise you. You humbled yourself for our sakes, and bore our Sins. We thank you for the forgiveness of our sins through your shed blood on the cross. We thank you also for the power of your Holy Spirit bestowed on us and all who love you. Awake many from their sleep in trespasses and sins. Renew and fill them by your gentle truth.

QUESTION:

  1. Why does Jesus become the giver of the Holy Spirit?

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